Apparatus for photographing titles on motion picture films



June 30,1942. M. RUIZ 2,288,488

APPARATUS FOR PHOTOGRAPHING TITLES 0N MOTION PICTURE FILMS Filed Jan. 2, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 M. RUIZ June 30, 1942.

APPARATUS FOR PHOTOGRAPHING TITLES ON MOTION PICTURE FILMS 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 2, 1941 Mzchaei Ruiz M. RUIZ June 30, 1942.

APPARATUS FOR PHOTOGRAPHING TITLES ON MOTION PICTURE FILMS Filed Jan. 2, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 H w M ,0, W /fi n. ,w ooo F a 1 x 0 (M 8 H w -5 -4 y 6 2 a afli mzyt/fi 2 -5 -4 m7 -5 HH H8 M //W 1 W/ m as 2).\\0L m 94 illl Sir/lawman;

M. RUIZ June 30, 1942.

APPARATUS FOR PHOTOGRAPHING TITLES 0N MOTION PICTURE FILMS Filed Jan. 2, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 VIA iii v R Q Michael R u [2 Patented June 30, 1942 APPARATUS FOR PHOTOGRAPHING TITLES N MOTION PICTURE FILMS Michael Ruiz, Chicago, Ill. Application January 2, 1941, Serial No. 372,903

6 Claims.

This invention relates to an improved apparatus for use in photographing titles on motion picture films and aims particularly to provide a device capable of use with many types of motion picture cameras and provided with means for accurately adjusting the device for producing a correct field of view for different types of cameras and having means for accurately positioning a title to be photographed in the field of view of the camera.

More particularly, it is an aim of the invention to provide means including an easel having gauge means for accurately adjusting the easel relatively to a support for a camera whereby the easel may be correctly positioned so that the field of view of the camera mounted on the camera support will correspond to the dimensions of the subjects to be photographed.

Still a further aim of the invention is to provide a title photographing apparatus having an auxiliary lens disposed between the camera and subject to be photographed, and means for adjustably supporting said lens for correctly positioning it for cameras of different types.

Another object of the invention is to provide novel means for illuminating the titles in view of the front or back of the easel and means for manually varying the intensity of the illumination.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter become more fully apparent from the following description of the drawings, which illustrate a preferred embodiment thereof, and wherein;

Figure l is a side elevational view of the apparatus,

Figure 2 is a longitudinal horizontal sectional view taken substantially along the plane of the line 2-2 of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is an end view in elevation of the apparatus looking toward the end thereof provided with the easel,

Figure 4 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view taken substantially along the plane of the line l-4 of Figure 2,

Figure 5 is an enlarged transverse vertical sectional view taken substantially along the plane I Figure 8 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken substantially along the plane of the line 8-8 of Figure 4, and

Figure 9 is a diagrammatic view of the electric circuit of the illuminating means. Referring more particularly to the drawings, wherein like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the different views, I designates generally the apparatus in its entirety and including a base ll supported by legs l2. A plate I3 is secured to the upper side of the base II, adjacent its rear end, to provide a support for an adjustable camera stand ll.

The camera stand it includes a rod I5 which is supported above and longitudinally of the plate I! by means of the brackets IS. The camera stand it includes a platform I! which is mounted by pairs of crossed legs II, the legs of each of which pairs are pivotally connected, intermediate of their ends, at IS. The lower ends of the legs I! of one of the pairs are provided with loop or sleeve portions 20 which are slidably mounted on the rod l5 while the lower ends of the legs of the other pair are provided with wheels 2| mounted on axles 22 which extend through complementary ends of the corresponding legs ll of the two pairs. The upper ends of the legs of both pairs are similarly connected by axles 22. Wheels 23 are mounted on the ends of the upper, forward axle 22. The platform ll, adjacent its rear end is provided with a pair of depending bearing members 2| which are loosely connected to the ends of the upper, rear axle 22 to pivotally connect the platform I! to the upwardly and rearwardly extending legs I l of each of the pairs. The wheels 23 are adapted to engage the underside of the forward portion of the platform ll to combine with the bearings 24 to normally support the platform in substantially a horizontal position above the base II, as seen in Figure 4. A stud 25 is secured to and projects upwardly from the platform l1 and a similar stud 26 is secured to and projects upwardly from the plate II. By means of the connection, as heretofore described, the platform I! can be moved from a horizontal position, as seen in full lines of Figure 1, to an upright or vertical position as seen in dotted lines thereof, for a purpose which will hereinafter become apparent. The stand M is prevented from moving longitudinally of the base H by means of a pair of spring clips 21 which are secured thereto and which engage over the lower rear axle 22 so that when the forward wheel 2! moves relatively to the base i l and the forward loop 20 moves relatively to the base II on the rod the legs l8 will be folded or extended to raise or lower the platform H to limit the movement of the platform H to a perpendicular direction. During this movement, the wheels 23 will move relatively to the underside of the platform l1.

A tubular post 28 is secured to and rises from the base adjacent one side thereof, and forwardly of the stand l4. A rod 29 is slidably mounted in the post 28 and is adapted to be extended relatively thereto and secured in any one of a number of extended positions by means of a set screw 38 carried by the post 23. The rod 29 is provided with a head 3| on its upper end to which is secured a bar 32 which is disposed substantially at a right angle to the rod 29 and in substantially a horizontal plane. A slide 33, having an inverted channel shaped portion which is mounted on the rod 32, is adjustably mounted relatively to the bar 32 and is adapted to be secured in any one of a plurality of adjusted positions by means of a set screw 34. A lazy tongs 35 is connected at its lower end to the slide 33 and at its upper end to a lens support 36 on which is mounted an auxiliary lens 31.

Referring particularly to Figures 1, 3 and 4, a frame. designated generally 38 includes a truck, designated'generally 39 and a supporting bar 48 which is mounted above the truck 39 and in spaced apart relationship thereto by means of the fastenings 4|. The truck 39 includes a bar 42 to the ends of which the lower ends of the fastenings 4| are connected by means of fastenings 43, which last mentioned fastenings also connect a pair of casters 44 to the under side of the bar 42 to provide a wheeled support for the frame 38. A bar 45 is hung beneath the bar 42 by fastenings or hangers 46. An electrical socket 41 is secured to the bar 42 and is disposed partially above and partially beneath said bars and is provided with a plug or male portion 48 which is disposed above the bar 42. An electrical connection 49 is mounted by a bracket 56 on the bar 42 and is disposed between said bar and the bar 40. The electrical connection 49 likewise includes a socket portion and a plug portion. An easel 58 is mounted on the bar 46 and extends substantially from end to end thereof and projects upwardly therefrom. In Figure 3,

, a centering card 5| is shown mounted in the easel 50, for a purpose which will hereinafter be explained. The top and bottom and one end of the easel 50 are channel shaped in cross section, as seen at 52 in Figure 2, for receiving and holding the centering card 5| and/or a title or subject to be photographed, not shown. The opposite end 53 of the easel 56 is open for applying or removing the article to be mounted in the easel. A pair of electric lamp sockets 54 are mounted on each side of the easel 56 and adjacent the bottom thereof, said lamp sockets 58 being secured to and projecting upwardly from the bar 48 adjacent the ends thereof. The lamp sockets 54 are of conventional construction and of the type adapted for mounting a conventional fluorescent or day light lamp bulb 55 of the type which is provided with a pair of contact points at each end thereof. One of such lamp bulbs 55, as shown, in Figure 2, is mounted in front of the easel 50 and connected to the forward pair of sockets 54. Each of the pairs of sockets 54 is provided with a reflector 56 which is detachably connected to the sockets 54 by means of brackets 51. The reflectors 56 open inwardly or toward the easel 50 for directing the rays of light from lamp bulbs 55 mounted in the pairs of sockets 54 onto the card holder 5|, for a purpose which will hereinafter become apparent.

A bar 58 is supported above and longitudinally of the easel 56 by means of angle arms 59 which are fastened at opposite ends respectively to the bar 58 and to the easel 50. A post or standard 68 is secured to and rises from the bar 58 adjacent each-of its ends. A supporting arm 6| is pivotally connected to each of the standards 66, and said arms 6| each being connected at one end to the upper end of the standard 60, as best seen in Figures 1 and 4. The arms 6| are pivotally mounted by means of screws or bolts 62, as best seen in Figure 3. which carry thumb nuts 63 which are adapted to be tightened for clamping the arms 6| in a plurality of adjusted positions. A reflector 64, of the barrel type, is connected at its ends to the free ends of the arms 6| and disposed therebetween. The reflector 64 includes the caps 65 forming the. ends thereof which are provided with inwardly projecting lamp sockets, not shown, similar to the lamp sockets 54 for mounting a lamp bulb 66, corresponding to the lamp bulbs 55, in the reflector 64. As best seen in Figure 4, the reflector 64 is provided with the arcuately shaped body portions 61 and 68, the ends of which are slidably mounted in the caps 65. The portions 61 and 68 are provided with corresponding outwardly projecting flanges 69, at adjacent edges thereof, forming an elongated opening 10 for the passage of the light rays from the bulb 66. The portions 61 and 68 may be turned relatively to the caps 65 for varying the position of the opening 10, which opening is adapted to be disposed for directing the light ray downwardly and inwardly toward the centering card 5|. The portions 61 and 68 are likewise adapted to be turned relatively to each other for varying the width of the opening 18. As will be apparent, arms 6| may be moved to change the reflector 64 from its full line position, as seen in Figure 1, to its dotted line position, so that the light rays from the bulb 66 may be directed onto the back of the centering card 5 A lazy tongs 1| is slidably connected at one of its ends at 12 to the bar 42 and is slidably connected at its opposite end to a rod 13 which is supported by means of brackets 14 on a plate 15 which is secured to the upper side of the forward end of the base II and transversely thereof. A housing 16 is secured at 11 to the upper side of the base adjacent its forward end and contains a spring winding reel, not shown, for a flexible ruler 18 which is wound thereon. One end of the ruler 18 extends outwardly through an opening in the bottom of the housing 16 and forwardly between the plate 15 and the base II and is connected at the free end thereof to the bar 45, as best seen in Figures 1 and 4. As best seen in Figure 2, the rule 18-is calibrated or marked in inches on its upper side for indicating the distance between the base H and the frame 38 and to thereby provide means whereby the frame 38 may be accurately adjusted relatively to the base II for a purpose which will hereinafter become apparent. The lazy tongs 1| provides a connection between the base H and the frame 38 whereby the frame may be moved toward and away from the base A tube 19, as best seen in Figures 4 and '1, is secured beneath and longitudinally of the base II, and is provided at one end with a cap 60 which is threadedly connected to the tube and which is provided with a centrally disposed flange opening 8|. A sleeve 82 is slidably mounted intermediate of its ends, in the flanged opening 8|. The end of the sleeve 82 which is disposed in the tube 19 is provided with a collar or washer 83 which slidably engages the inner side of the tube 19 for guiding said end of the sleeve 82 and for retaining it in alinement with the flanged opening 8|. A collar 84 is mounted on the opposite, outer end of the sleeve 82 for engaging the flanged opening 8I for limiting the inward movement of the sleeve 82 relatively to the tube 19. A sleeve 88 has one end slidably mounted in the sleeve 82 and is provided with a collar 88 on its opposite, exposed end for limiting the inward movement of the sleeve 85 relatively to the sleeve 82. A rigid metal strap 81 is secured at one end to the collar 88 and at its opposite end to the underside of the bar 45 to provide an additional connection between the base II and the frame 38 and to provide a substantially rigid support for maintaining the frame 38 in an upright position. The frictional engagemerrt between the sleeves 82 and: 85 is greater than that between the sleeve 82 and the tube 19 so that when the frame 38 is moved to an extended position relatively to the base II the sleeve 82 will be extended fully relatively to the tube 19 before the tube 85 begins to move to an extended position relatively to the tube 19 to thereby provide the maximum strength for maintaining the parts in a horizontal position and thereby maintain the frame 38 in a perpendicular position. The tube 19 and the sleeves 82 and 85 provide a telescopic conduit for electrical conductors, as seen in Figure l, which lead to the lamp bulbs 55 and 88, as will hereinafter be more fully described.

Referring to the diagrammatic view, Figure 9, 88 designates generally a positive conductor wire leading from a source of electric current, not shown, such as a conventional outlet box, and 89 designates a negative return wire. A rheostat 98 is interposed in the positive wire 88, which, beyond said rheostat is provided with branch wires 98 and 9| which lead to transformers 92 and 93, respectively. Three positive wires 94 and 95 lead from each of the transformers 92 and 93, respectively. The three conductor wires 94 connect with the three positive contact points 96 of the lamp bulb 55 through the pair of lamp sockets 54 in which said bulb is mounted, and it is to be understood that the conductors are connected to both pairs of lamp sockets 54 and that the lamp bulb 55 is adapted to be transferred from one to the other of the pairs of lamp sockets for positioning it either in front of or behind the easel 58. The conductor wires 95 connect with the three positive contacts 91 of the lamp bulb 88, through the lamp sockets, not shown, carried by the reflector 84. A conductor wire 98 leads from a negative point 99 of the lamp bulb 55 through one of either of the pairs of lamp sockets 54 and a conductor I88 similarly extends from the negative contact point I8I of the lamp bulb 88. The opposite ends of the conductors 98 and I88 connect with the negative return wire 89 and said conductors, intermediate of their ends, are provided with corresponding switches I82 and I83, respectively, for selectively energizing the lamp bulbs 55 and 88. It will thus be seen that the lamp bulbs 55 and 88 may be selectively energized when illuminating the easel 58 and the intensity of the illumination may be uniformly controlled by means of the rheostat 98. This is true whether the lamp bulb 55 and 88 are disposed in front of the easel 58, as shown in full lines of Figure 1, or transferred to the back of the easel, as shown in dotted lines in Figure 1, by moving the arms 8| to their dotted line positions and by transferring the lamp bulb 55 from the front pair of lamp sockets 54 to the rear pair.

The conductors 95 and I88 of the upper lamp 88 extend through the plug and socket 41, 48 and the conductors 94 and 98 similarly pass through the plug and socket connection 49 so that the portions of said connections may be separated, as for example, where it is desirable to detach the bar 48 from the bar 42 for any reason. All of these conductors lead through a conduit I 84, mounted behind the base of the easel 58 to adjacent the lamp sockets 54 and the conductors of the lamp bulbs 88 extend upwardly through a conduit I to one end of the lamp bulb 88 through a horizontal conduit I88, at the top of the easel 58 to the other end of the lamp bulb 86.

The base II at its rear end is provided with an extension I81 on which is mounted the rheostat 98 and the switches I82 and I83.

Assuming that it is desired to photograph a title on a film of a motion picture camera such as a Cine-Kodak, Revere, Victor, Univex, Bolex and other cameras of the same type, the platform I1 is arranged in a horizontal position as seen in full lines of Figure 1, and the camera placed thereon with its tripod socket connected to the pin 25. The stand I4 is then raised or lowered to adjust the elevation of the platform I1 so that the lens of the camera mounted thereon, not shown, will be in horizontal alinement with the center of the centering card 5|. If it is necessary to provide means for reducing the focus of the camera, the auxiliary lens 31 is adjusted, in the manner as heretofore explained, to position it in front of the lens of the camera. The card on which is imprinted the title to be photographed is then attached to the centering card 5| on the side thereof adjacent the lens 31 in a centered position relatively to the centering card 5|, which is provided with crossed, calibrated, vertical and horizontal lines, not shown, for properly centering the title card. The frame 38 is then adjusted relatively to the base II and accurately positioned by reference to the rule 18 to position the easel 58 at the proper distance from the auxiliary lens 31 so that the field of view of the camera will correspond to the dimensions of the title card. For example, assuming that a size 16 m. m. F. 3.5 camera is mounted on the platform I1 and the size of the title card, not shown, is six and one-quarter inches by eight and one-quarter inches, the frame 38 is adjusted so that the title card in the easel 58 is exactly 21 inches from the lens 31 at which position the field of view of the camera will correspond to the size of the title card. Title cards of other sizes may be used by increasing the distance between the title card and the auxiliary lens 31 and with the camera of above referred to size a title ten and one-quarter inches by thirteen and one-half inches may be hotographed by positioning the title thirty-four inches from the auxiliary lens. Obviously, pictures, such as cuts from magazines may similarly be photographed in lieu of titles. In photographing a title on the front of the centering card 5|, the lamp bulbs 55 and 88 are positioned to the front of the easel 58 for flooding the front of the centering card and title with light by closing the switches I82 and I83 after which the rheostat 80 may be adjusted to secure proper intensity of the illumination. When the apparatus Ill is employed for photographing titles on films with cameras such as Keystone, Bell-Howell, Filmo and other cameras of this type, the platform I! is swung to its dotted line position, as seen in Figure 1, and the tripod socket of the camera, not shown, is connected to the pin 26. The lens 31 is then adjusted to position it in front of the lens of the camera after which the title is filmed, in the same manner as heretofore explained for cameras mounted on the platform l'l. Where the auxiliary lens 31 is not used, it is moved downwardly to a retracted position after which the bar 32 is swung to a position longitudinally of the apparatus Hi to position the lens 31 at one side of the base H.

Titles may also be photographed which are printed on a transparent title card such as a sheet of Cellophane, in which case the centering card 5| is cut to form an opening in the center thereof corresponding to the dimensions of the field of view of the camera into which the title card is secured over said opening. The .lamps 55 and 66 are moved to positions behind the easel 50, as heretofore explained, and illuminated to illuminate the back of the centering card 5| to cause the light to shine through the transparent title card so that the opaque letters printed thereon will stand out in relief and may be readily photographed.

Various modifications and changes are contemplated and may obviously be resorted to as only a preferred embodiment of the invention has been disclosed.

I claim as my invention:

1. A device of the class described comprising a base, a support having a platform at its top provided with means for detachably mounting a camera thereon, said support being slidably connected to the base and constructed so that sliding movement thereof will raise or lower the support in substantially a vertical plane, a wheeled frame, means for connecting the frame and base whereby the frame may be moved toward and away from the base, an easel supported by the frame for mounting a subject to be photographed by the camera, an auxiliary focusing lens adjustably mounted between the support and easel and arranged for movement horizontally and vertically, and illuminating means associated with the easel for flooding the subject to be photographed.

2. A device as in claim 1, said auxiliary focusing lens including a support for said lens, said support having means for adjusting the elevation of the lens and the angle of the .lens relatively to the easel.

3. A device as in claim 1, said illuminating means including lamp bulbs provided with refiectors for illuminating the front or back of the subject mounted in the easel, said illuminating means being disposed adjacent the top and bottom of the easel.

4. A device as in claim 1, said means for connecting the frame and base comprising telescoping tubular members connected respectively to the base and frame and forming a conduit for electric wiring leading to said illuminating means.

5. A device as in claim 1, said camera support including legs for supporting the platform relatively to the base and for positioning the platform at different elevations relatively to the base, and means for pivotally connecting the platform to said supporting legs.

6. An apparatus for use in photographing titles on motion picture films, comprising a stationary base, a frame, extensible means connecting the base and frame, an easel mounted on the frame for supporting a title to be photographed, means mounted on the base for mounting a motion picture camera at different elevations relatively to the base, and an auxiliary focusing lens mounted on the base, between the camera mounting means and easel, said lens being adjustable horizontally and vertically, illuminating means for illuminating the title to be photographed, said illuminating means comprising pairs of sockets disposed on either side of the easel, lamp bulbs mounted in said sockets, reflectors for said lamp bulbs detachably connected to the sockets, a pair of lamp sockets adjustably mounted above easel, a lamp bulb carried by said last mentioned pair of sockets, an adjustable reflector for said last mentioned lamp bulb, said last mentioned pair of sockets being movable from a position in front of said easel to'a position behind the easel, and means for selectively energizing either of the first mentioned lamp bulbs in combination with the last mentioned lamp bulbs for illuminating the title from either side of the easel.

IVIICHAEL RUIZ. 

